Hey guys I bought this Sprinter from Pertano last year and have been slowly working on it to get it driveable. I did put in a stock starlet 4k engine with a 5 spd for now. I still have to have the exhaust done, have the engine tuned, and do a few more finishing touches. Here are the pics enjoy!

The reason I sold this car was because it was so damn small. I got it running and drove it down the main road by my house. I had one of those lifted Diesel trucks roll by me and all I could see was his tires and at 55-60 mph his air pushed me around. I drive my cars on a daily basis and I couldn't see putting my kids in this one. It was a very nice car though. Complete and clean as hell. Only thing was the roof needed some repair that GringoJJ took care of. The car looks much better now!!

KE15 was the earlier models 68-mid 69 whereas the KE17 was late 69-70.

They are pretty much the same car. I think teh front brakes changed a bit as did steering some steering parts (different thread pitches) and little stuff like the ignition key moved from the dash to the steering column. The trunk and quarter panel badges may be cast metal instead of plastic like on the KE17.

Hey guys I bought this Sprinter from Pertano last year and have been slowly working on it to get it driveable. I did put in a stock starlet 4k engine with a 5 spd for now.

nice car! i have a question was it easy to convert it to a 5 speed? what did you do? mine is an automatic and i want to convert to a 5 speed stick, i need the clutch pedal and it's ancilliaries like the clutch cable, springs, nuts and bolts if any etc........

To put the 4k I had to use the water pump, fan, and alternator from the original 1k. Also you have to grind part of the manifold from the starlet or it will hit the master cylinder. I also had to modify the end of the exhaust manifold to clear the tie rods. As far as the 5 spd the hole for the shifter is about 8 inches I think back from the original hole. I think I also had to change the yoke to the transmission the splines were different.

All in all if you look at the gains going to a 4k from a 3k I dont think all the extra work is worth it. If I had to do it again I would have rebuilt my 1k and left it 4 spd. It depends on what your goals are.

The HP rating from 3k to 4k is minimal. If you have a good 3k just do the head and put a cam and header and weber and be done with it.